A group, calling itself the Appolonia Youth Development Association (AYDA), has expressed its resolve to use all legal means possible to deal with activities of landguards in Appolonia in the Kpone Katamanso municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The group has called on the Kpone Traditional Council and other stakeholders to immediately intervene in land disputes to save lives and properties.

Speaking at a press conference, at Appolonia, Secretary to the association, Joseph Okoe Nuertey, blamed the turn of events on sale of stool lands by “unscrupulous people”. 

“The area is overwhelmed by activities of landguards because some groups of people and individuals, who pose as landguards with support of some big men have enough room to operate and terrorise indigenes.”

He said they attacked people on their way to their farms, and allow people to encroach on our lands with impunity,” he said.

According to Mr Nuertey, indiscriminate winning of sand and gravel was also a challenge to the community.

He cautioned persons who have encroached on Appolonia land to “desist from the unpatriotic bwhaviour”, saying the association would use every legal means to stop them.

Mr Nuertey called on all members of AYDA, well-meaning citizens and residents of the area to help save the community before the land is taken away by “unlawful and greedy people”.

He called on the public, especially those who have bought land at Appolonia without the consent of the appropriate authorities to seek redress, saying, “Appolonia land is stool land and only the chiefs and elders of the area have the power to release and alienate land.”

Meanwhile, the District Police Commander for the Oyibi Frafraha District with oversight responsibility of the area, Superintendent Mr Kweku Bempah, said the police had intensified patrol in the area, to prevent any unlawful activities by any group or individuals.

He said the police were investigating land issues adding, “The police does not confer ownership of land on people, we only handle the criminal aspects of issues”.

Mr Bempah advised residents to cooperate with the police when such issues come up, to ensure that lawlessness was brought to its barest minimum.

From DzifaTetteh, Appolonia